The 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, held in Indianapolis, delivered a stellar display of talent and the league's undeniable momentum, culminating in the matchup between Team Collier (Naphessa Collier) and Team Clark (Caitlin Clark). From thrilling competitions to the highly anticipated All-Star Game, the weekend showcased the WNBA's present and its bright future. As fans of the league look forward to the second half of the season, several key takeaways have emerged, offering insights into player performances, league narratives, and the trajectory of the “W.”

The Star Power of the ‘StudBudz’’

“The StudBudz,” Minnesota Lynx teammates Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman were the stars of All-Star Weekend. From the outset, the duo set a goal to stream on Twitch for 72 hours and take their viewers behind the scenes of all the weekend’s activities. The content showed everything from Collier, Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers. They were seen dancing with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, singing karaoke, giving Diplo DJing tips, and everything else in between. As of Sunday night, they had 65.7K followers according to CBS Sports. Collier said it right: “StudBudz has been the highlight of everybody's weekend."

The Players Presented A United Front For Upcoming CBA Negotiations

Outside of the action on the court, the players ensured that awareness of the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations was brought to the forefront during the weekend. More than 40 players were in attendance at a league meeting, which is the largest number to have ever been present. “I think we got that message across. For myself, that was the best part of it, being in the room, and there are over 40 other players in this league, and I'm sure a lot more would have loved to be in there if they were in Indianapolis,” said Collier, Vice President on the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) executive committee about the meeting. “I think that's the most powerful thing.”

To show their solidarity, many players wore "Pay us what you owe us" T-shirts during warmups for the All-Star Game. This collective stance underscores the players' commitment to enhancing working conditions and securing higher compensation. 

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Inoescu Dominates 3-Point Shootout

New Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu shows why she is hailed as one of the most prolific shooters in basketball, dominating the STARRY 3-Point Contest. With the win, she earned her second 3-Point Contest title, solidifying her status as a sharpshooting master, besting defending champion Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream. In 2023, Ionescu set a record with an incredible 37 points in the final round, the most ever in either WNBA or NBA contest history. On Saturday (July 19), she scored 30 points in the final round, the second-highest score in the contest's history. 

Napheesa Collier Wins All-Star Game MVP, Skylar Diggins Records First Ever Triple-Double 

In Team Collier’s 151-131 victory, team captain Collier set a new All-Star Game scoring record with 36 points and earned MVP honors. She became the first non-guard to do so since 2018 when Maya Moore was named MVP. Her teammate Skylar Diggins recorded the first-ever triple-double in All-Star game history, with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists. Her 15 dimes were also a new All-Star game record.

4 Point Shot Leads To Big Numbers

The 4-point shot had introduced an entirely new dynamic to the All-Star Game and was the primary reason Team Collier scored a record-high 151 points. Both teams attempted a combined 120 shots from beyond the arc. Clark made it known that her team's strategy was to shoot as many 4-pointers as possible. Designated as "AT&T 4-Point Shot" areas,  the telecommunications company donated to WNBA-supported foundations for every four-point shot made.